Happy to escape the confinement of the tower, and with no one about to witness their antics, Nimue and Arwyn cast aside their dignity and dash down the garden path. Arwyn charges ahead like a playful pup, nipping at the fat, feathery snowflakes drifting to the ground. She sniffs the air, wags her tail at some familiar scent and lopes unerringly to the fountain at the centre of the maze. Even in winter, Camelot's ornamented gardens are impressive with their entwined hedges of green-briar and vigorous holly bushes maintaining a cheerful verdure throughout the changing seasons. In the centre is an unremarkable fountain, on the edge of which Nimue rests. Arwyn sits obediently at her feet, while she loses herself in a pleasant memory of the handsome young squire who once courted her by a statlier fountain in the Forest of Brocéliande. A young man of strikingly similar appearance approaches, startling her out of her reverie. With cap in hand, on bended knee, he begs her not to fear him, "For you hold my heart hostage against my good behavior," says he. She in turn asks after his good name, taking great delight in repeating the courting game they played when first they met. He claims he is but a humble squire named Mylfwdd who is in the employ of the great wizard Merlinus and wishes to spend his free time worshipping the woodland goddess before him. Nimue suppresses a giggle and shakes her head free of her hood, allowing her long ebony locks to escape their plaits and blow freely in the chill wind. Mylfwdd reaches out and gently presses a single strand to his lips. Playing her audience, Nimue asks coyly if his master has taught him any tricks that might entertain a lady tired of waiting. Pressing his advantange, the bold lad brags that indeed he has. With a flourish of his long, graceful hands, he creates a castle in the air above the fountain filled with people bustling about. Then he causes sticks and stones to become a mighty attacking army and bids the king and his knights to sally forth and defend their castle. Nimue's laughter rings throughout the gardens and is echoed by the birds nestling in the hedgerows. Continuing their game, she begs her handsome young suitor to teach her the strange magic tricks he has shown her. Flattered by her attentions, he boasts that that he can show her even greater magic. Her moonlit eyes brighten at the prospect of learning his arts, and her mouth curves into a smile so sweet as to melt his heart. "I would love forever someone who would teach me such things," Nimue purrs in his ear, repeating in earnest the pledge she swore in the forest glade when she was yet a child. "For the love of you, I would do anything," Merlinus solemnly repeats his own vow, then pulls out his wand and describes a great circle around a glade that suddenly appears from nowhere. A fertile orchard shoots up out of the earth, its branches laden with the fairest flowers and most luscious fruits ripe for the plucking, which Nimue does and savours each mouthwatering bite. The snowflakes become delicate white petals swirling in a warm summer breeze, and lords and ladies dance about the lovers as the two become one in a soft, sensual embrace. Swept away on a wave of passion, Nimue closes her eyes and tilts her head back expectantly, anticipating the moment their lips will meet. "Do you think we’ve put a little fear into the lad?" Merlinus asks, breaking the spell. "He seems to be sorely lacking in caution." "What I think is that someone aught to bury Artoros's head in Gwynfryn and have done with it," she retorts, lowering her head and pouting prettily over her lover's abrupt change of course. Merlinus responds with a deepthroated chuckle and pulls her back into his arms. Stroking her hair gently, he soothes her with words of honey and promises her the moon, but at a more fortuitous time. "Artoros has greater need of our immediate attention," he sighs. "You know I speak the truth." She nods reluctantly, seeing the wisdom in his words as she struggles to follow his example and set aside her own desires for the greater good of the mortal world. She is determined to one day be as wise as her mentor and match his mastery of the arts. Raising her chin with pride, she proceeds to prove that she can be as detached as he in the matter of rhi a gwlad. "What of this new god's conniving priest? He has an unhealthy hold over Artoros and bears ill will toward those who practice the old ways. I saw him when I left you earlier today. He challenged Arglwyddes Modron ferch Afallach, and she boldly returned his challenge. I thought her actions admirable and would do the same." "Interesting. This priest bears watching," Merlinus agrees, "but we must tread cautiously lest we startle the viper and he strikes." "Then why not strike the viper first?" "Because of the venom his martyrdom could unleash in the hearts and souls of Artoros and his loyal followers." Wrinkling her brow in confusion, Nimue confesses she has little understanding of the ways of this priest and his god. "All the more reason for caution, caraid" Merlinus advises. "An ill wind blows through Camelot. Those who practice the old ways are in danger of being replaced, possibly even becoming the new god's sacrificial lambs." "Is that what Y Crist demands? Lambs?" Merlinus laughs, amused by her innocence. "No, Nimmy. The lambs are merely a metaphor for what could happen to us. If we're not careful, this priest could be our undoing." "Surely our magical arts and the purity of love which binds our two hearts together shall shield us from harm." Having escorted his lady to the relative safety of her tower, the wizard's only response is a protective kiss on her brow before departing, for he knows in his lovebound heart that she may one day be his undoing. _______ Arglwyddes - Lady caraid - beloved; my love ferch - daughter Gwynfryn - the "White Hill" (possibly where the Tower of London now stands) rhi a gwlad - king and country Nimue's response to Merlin's post: Meeting Again for the First Time